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The primary element which sets neuromuscular Dentistry apart from traditional Dentist is that neuromuscular Dentist  considers the nerves and muscles and the correct positioning of the jaw, whereas traditional Dentist focuses on just the teeth and joints.

The most life-changing effect of neuromuscular Dentist  is its ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat a misaligned jaw which has far reaching ramifications that can present themselves as painful and debilitating symptoms which seem to have no relationship to dental problems.

Symptoms include:

• Headaches (often misdiagnosed as migraines)
• Shoulder, neck, or back pain
• Numbness in arms and fingers
• Facial pain
• Jaw pain
• Clicking or popping jaw
• Clenching or grinding teeth
• Ringing ears (tinnitus)
• Congested ears

The result is a more complete approach which can resolve painful conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorders and provide more comfortable and longer lasting solutions to other dental needs such as dentures and smile makeovers.

Your teeth, joints, muscles, and nerves all work together in the proper alignment and functioning of the jaw. When any part of this equation is overlooked painful conditions such as TMJ and serious dental problems can develop. Neuromuscular Dentist Australia utilizes modern technology to precisely determine the proper positioning of the jaw.

Electromyography

Electromyography measures the electrical activity in the jaw muscles and the jaw-to-skull relationship. This determines muscle tension when the jaw is in motion and in a relaxed position.

Computerised Mandibular Scan

The mandibular scan precisely tracks all of the motions of the jaw and the position of the jaw at rest.

Sonography

Sonography records all of the sounds of the jaw while it moves. Clicks, pops, scraping, and grinding all are sounds of misalignment (malocclusion).

In the treatment of TMJ/TMD a neuromuscular Dentist Australia will use transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (TENS). This treatment acts like a massage, relaxing the muscles, stopping spasms, and relieving pain.

Smile Makeover

A smile makeover addresses all aspects of your smile including your teeth and gums, and should include proper jaw alignment.

Neuromuscular Dentist Australia ensures that a smile makeover is complete and achieves not only the optimum functional dental benefits, but the cosmetic benefits as well.

When your teeth and jaws work together properly, the muscles are relaxed and the effect can take years off of your appearance.

A misaligned bite can lead to future damage, including chipped and broken teeth, quickly diminishing the results of a smile makeover and requiring unnecessary painful and costly dental work.

Dentures

Traditional Dentist Australia relies on impressions to create dentures.

Using impressions alone can lead to subtle imperfections and does not create a precise bite alignment. Neuromuscular Dentist Australia eliminates many of the problems commonly associated with dentures including difficulty chewing and speaking, and can extend the length of time that the dentures will fit properly before they must be replaced.

Neuromuscular Dentist Australia is a more advanced, effective, and complete approach to dental treatment than traditional Dentist Australia. TMJ/TMD treatment can quickly relieve life-long pain.

In general Dentist Australia procedures the results are more accurate and long-lasting. When applied to cosmetic Dentist Australia a more beautiful look can be achieved.

More on Dentist Australia

Neuromuscular Dentist Australia is a medical paradigm in which temporomandibular joints, masticatory muscles and central nervous system mechanisms follow generic physiologic and anatomic laws applicable to all musculoskeletal systems.

It is a treatment modality of Dentist Australia that objectively focuses on correcting misalignment of the jaw at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

 Neuromuscular Dentist Australia acknowledges the multi-facted musculoskeletal occlusal signs and symptoms as they relate to postural problems involving the lower jaw and cervical region. Neuromuscular Dentist Australia recognizes the need to solve the root of the misalignment problem(s) by understanding the relationships of the tissues involved, which include muscles, teeth, temporomandibular joints, and nerves. In short, neuromuscular Dentist Australia and technology add objective data and understanding to previous mechanical models of occlusion.

Symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) are claimed to include:

• Headaches / migraines
• Facial pain
• Back, neck and shoulder pain
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Vertigo (dizziness)
• Trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureux), a neuropathic pain disorder unrelated to TMD
• Bell's Palsy, a nerve disorder unrelated to TMD
• Sensitive and sore teeth
• Jaw pain
• Limited jaw movement or locking jaw
• Numbness in the fingers and arms (related to the cervical musculature and nerves, not to TMD)
• Worn or cracked teeth
• Clicking or popping in the jaw joints
• Jaw joint pain
• Clenching/bruxing
• Tender sensitive teeth
• A limited opening or inability to open the mouth comfortably
• Deviation of the jaw to one side
• The jaw locking open or closed
• Postural problems (forward head posture)
• Pain in the joint(s) or face when opening or closing the mouth, yawning, or chewing
• Pain in the muscles surrounding the temporomandibular joints
• Pain in the occipital (back), temporal (side), frontal (front), or infra-orbital (below the eyes) portions of the head
• Pain behind the eyes
• Swelling on the side of the face and/or mouth
• A bite that feels uncomfortable, "off," or as if it is continually changing
• Older Bells palsy

Neuromuscular Dentist Australia uses computerized instrumentation to measure the patient's jaw movements via Computerized Mandibular Scanning (CMS) or Jaw Motion Analysis (JMA), muscle activity via electromyography (EMG) and temporomandibular joint sounds via Electro-Sonography (ESG) or Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) to assist in identifying joint derangements. Surface EMG's are used to verify pre-, mid- and post-treatment conditions before and after ultra-low frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS). By combining both computerized mandibular scanning (CMS) or jaw motion analysis (JMA) with ultra-low frequency TENS, the Dentist Australia is able to locate a "physiological rest" position as a starting reference position to find a relationship between the upper and lower jaw along an isotonic path of closure up from the physiologic rest position in order to establish a bite position. Electromyography can be used to confirm rested/homeostatic muscle activity of the jaw prior to taking a bite recording.

Once a physiologic rest position is found, the Australiadoctor can determine the optimal positioning of the lower jaw to the upper jaw.

An orthotic is commonly worn for 3-6 months (24 hours per day) to realign the jaw, at which point orthodontic treatment, use of the orthotic as a "orthopedical realigning appliance", overlay partial, or orthodontic treatment and/or rehabilitation of the teeth is recommended to correct teeth and jaw pos

 

More on TMJ:

Do you have the symptoms of TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) disorder?

It should be considered that there are many symptoms of TMJ disorder.  Everyone is different, therefore the disorder can and does manifest itself in a variety of ways.  Although this is by no means an exclusive list, the following are symptoms a patient with TMJ disorder might experience.

Eye Pain and Eye Problems:

• Bloodshot eyes
• Blurring of vision
• Eye pain above, below and behind eye
• Pressure behind eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Watering of the eyes

Head Pain, Headache Problems, Facial Pain:

• Migraines
• Forehead pain
• Cluster headaches
• "Sinus Type" headache
• Hair and/or scalp painful or sensitive to touch

 

Teeth and Gum Problems:

• Clenching during the day or at night
• Grinding teeth at night (bruxism)
• Tooth pain
• Sensitive teeth

Mouth, Face, Cheek, and Chin Problems:

• Discomfort or pain to any of these areas
• Pain in cheek muscles
• Uncontrollable tongue movements
• Jaw and Jaw Joint Problems
• Limited opening
• Inability to open the jaw smoothly or evenly
• Jaw deviates to one side when opening
• Inability to find the correct bite with teeth
• Clicking or popping jaw joints
• Uncontrollable jaw movements

Ear Pain, Ear Problems:

• Hissing, buzzing, ringing, or roaring sounds
• Diminished hearing
• Clogged, "stuffy", itchy ears
• Feeling of fullness
• Ear pain without infection
• Balance problems, vertigo, dizziness

Throat Problems:

• Swallowing difficulties
• Tightness of throat
• Sore throat with no infection
• Voice fluctuations
• Laryngitis
• Tongue Pain

Neck and Shoulder Problems:

• Neck pain
• Tired, sore neck problems
• Shoulder aches
• Back pain (upper and lower)
• Arm and finger tingling, numbness, and/or pain
• Stiffness

It is very important to keep in mind that everyone is different.  Please see a physician to receive a thorough examination and diagnosis before jumping to any conclusions about your health.

Other symptoms: Suffering a strange pain on the area of your ears? Having a throat ache that doesn't want to leave and is not connected to a bout with the flu or inflammation of the ducts? Demonstrating speech abnormality that cannot be fixed by healing education? TMJ includes the temporomandibular joint, that area which connects the lower jaw to the skull. TMJ doesn't pick out a specific disorder, rather, it is a general term that includes different troubles undergo by the temporomandibular joint. If you are experiencing any of the following warnings, it would be proper to think about the probability that you have TMJ: - Otalgia, or earache. Given the proximity of the temporomandibular joint to the ear, aches in the said area are to be projected if the joint will undergo any troubles. - Apparently permanent speech abnormality. Regardless our mindful intentions, if we slur words we're expected to blurt out with clarity, and if such cannot be rectified by speech rehabilitation, it may be a strong sign of TMJ. - Toothache. Toothache can be brought about by a diversity of reasons, starting from tooth decay, to the birth of a buried tooth, to gum problems, to real grievances. Still, when the toothache isn't brought about by any of the abovementioned possibilities, the TMJ is the most probably cause. - Tooth mobility, or worse, tooth loss. TMJ can put strong load on the teeth, causing them to effortlessly be dislodged from their root. - Headaches. Again, given the closeness of the temporomandibular joint to the regions where headaches become obvious, headaches together with any of the other warnings mentioned above can point to the occurrence of TMJ. TMJ isn't a severe sickness. Nonetheless, if left ignored, it will only get worse and its warnings will become more severe. Such can brutally change the way of life of the patient.

TMJ Syndrome Overview

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is pain in the jaw joint that can be caused by a variety of medical problems. The TMJ connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull (temporal bone) in front of the ear. Certain facial muscles control chewing. Problems in this area can cause head and neck pain, facial pain, ear pain, headaches, a jaw that is locked in position or difficult to open, problems biting, and jaw clicking or popping sounds when you bite.

The TMJ is comprised of muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and bones. You have two TMJs, one on each side of your jaw.

Muscles involved in chewing (mastication) also open and close the mouth. The jawbone itself, controlled by the TMJ, has two movements: rotation or hinge action, which is opening and closing of the mouth, and gliding action, a movement that allows the mouth to open wider. The coordination of this action also allows you to talk, chew, and yawn.

• If you place your fingers just in front of your ears and open your mouth, you can feel the joint and its movement. When you open your mouth, the rounded ends of the lower jaw (condyles) glide along the joint socket of the temporal bone. The condyles slide back to their original position when you close your mouth. To keep this motion smooth, a soft disc of cartilage lies between the condyle and the temporal bone. This disc absorbs shock to the temporomandibular joint from chewing and other movements. Chewing creates a strong force. This disc distributes the forces of chewing throughout the joint space.

TMJ Syndrome Causes

TMJ syndrome can be caused by trauma, disease, wear and tear due to aging, or habits.

• Trauma: Trauma is divided into microtrauma and macrotrauma. Microtrauma is internal, such as grinding the teeth (bruxism) and clenching (jaw tightening). This continual hammering on the temporomandibular joint can change the alignment of the teeth. Muscle involvement causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the joint. Teeth grinding and clenching are habits that may be diagnosed in people who complain of pain in the temporomandibular joint or have facial pain that includes the muscles involved in chewing (myofascial pain). Macrotrauma, such as a punch to the jaw or impact in an accident, can break the jawbone or damage the disc.

 

• Bruxism: Teeth grinding as a habit can result in muscle spasm and inflammatory reactions, thus causing the initial pain. Changes in the normal stimuli or height of the teeth, misalignment of the teeth, and changes in the chewing muscles may cause temporomandibular joint changes. Generally, someone who has a habit of grinding his or her teeth will do so mostly during sleep. In some cases, the grinding may be so loud that it disturbs others.

 

• Clenching: Someone who clenches continually bites on things while awake. This might be chewing gum, a pen or pencil, or fingernails. The constant pounding on the joint causes the pain. Stress is often blamed for tension in the jaw, leading to a clenched jaw.

 

• Osteoarthritis: Like other joints in the body, the jaw joint is prone to undergo arthritic changes. These changes are sometimes caused by breakdown of the joint (degeneration) or normal aging. Degenerative joint disease causes a slow progressive loss of cartilage and formation of new bone at the surface of the joint. Cartilage destruction is a result of several mechanical and biological factors rather than a single entity. Its prevalence increases with repetitive microtrauma or macrotrauma, as well as with normal aging. Immunologic and inflammatory diseases contribute to the progress of the disease.

 

• Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in joints and can affect the TMJ, especially in children. As it progresses, the disease can cause destruction of cartilage and erode bone, deforming joints. It is an autoimmune disease involving the antibody factor against immunoglobulin G (IgG). Chronic rheumatoid arthritis is a multisystem inflammatory disorder with persistent symmetric joint inflammation.

TMJ Syndrome Symptoms and Signs

• Pain in the facial muscles and jaw joints may radiate to the neck or shoulders. Joints may be overstretched. You may experience muscle spasms from TMJ syndrome. You may feel pain every time you talk, chew, or yawn. Pain usually appears in the joint itself, in front of the ear, but it may move elsewhere in the skull, face, or jaw.
   
• TMJ syndrome may cause ear pain, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and hearing loss. Sometimes people mistake TMJ pain for an ear problem, such as an ear infection, when the ear is not the problem at all.
   
• When the joints move, you may hear sounds, such as clicking, grating, and/or popping. Others may also be able to hear the sounds. Clicking and popping are common. This means the disc may be in an abnormal position. Sometimes no treatment is needed if the sounds give you no pain.
   
• Your face and mouth may swell on the affected side.
   
• The jaw may lock wide open (then it is dislocated), or it may not open fully at all. Also, upon opening, the lower jaw may deviate to one side. You may find yourself favouring one painful side or the other by opening your jaw awkwardly. These changes could be sudden. Your teeth may not fit properly together, and your bite may feel odd
   
• You may have trouble swallowing because of the muscle spasms.
  
  
• Headache and dizziness may be caused by TMJ syndrome. You may feel nauseous or vomit.

When to Seek Care

Occasional pain in the jaw joint or chewing muscles is common and may not be a cause for concern. See a Dentist Australia if your pain is severe or if it does not go away. Treatment for TMJ syndrome ideally should begin when it is in early stages. The Dentist Australia can explain the functioning of the joints and how to avoid any action or habit (such as chewing gum) that might aggravate the joint or facial pain.

If your jaw is locked open or closed, go to a hospital's emergency department.

• The open locked jaw is treated by sedating you to a comfortable level. Then the mandible is held with the thumbs while the lower jaw is pushed downward, forward, and backward.
   
• The closed locked jaw is treated by sedating you until you are completely relaxed. Then the mandible is gently manipulated until the mouth opens.